Damage done, but Fleming welcomes ICC's Super Over rule change

Stephen Fleming, head coach of Abu Dhabi T10 League's Delhi Bulls, welcomes the new Super Over rule, which moves away from boundary count in case of tie.

Stephen Fleming says review of Super Over rule was "quite right".

Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming has welcomed the International Cricket Council's new Super Over rule, scraping boundary count to decide the winner in the case of a tie. 

The 2019 World Cup final between England and New Zealand ran into controversy after both sides were tied on 15 runs in the Super Over and England's superior boundary count - a combined 26 in its allotted 50 overs and the Super Over - won it the trophy.

According to the new rule, ICC tournament semifinals and finals will now have multiple Super Overs to decide the winner if the two teams can't be separated.

"ICC rule changes (laughs). I am happy. It was rather unusual. It was the ICC's worst nightmare that their best showcase event had to end on such a note," Fleming said on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi T10 League players' draft.

Read: Neesham mocks ICC’s Super Over rule change

Talking to a select group of journalists, the Chennai Super Kings head coach further said, "The review of the rule was quite right. It's changed now for the good."

After the ICC passed the new rule, New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham posted a sarcastic tweet. "Next on the agenda: Better binoculars for the Ice spotters on the Titanic," Neesham had posted.

Fleming, who is here to attend the players draft as head coach of Delhi Bulls, empathised with his compatriot.

"I mean, I feel for him. The damage is done (New Zealand not winning the World Cup). It was a case of so close but yet so far. However, having said, we welcome the new rule," he said.

Fleming backs Dhoni

With Fleming, the conversation eventually moved towards CSK skipper MS Dhoni as the coach-captain duo share a great rapport and have produced extraordinary results.  

When asked if the former India skipper should clear the air on his retirement rumours, Fleming said, "Look, I want him to play as long as possible. I have not had a chat with him recently though.

"Age to me is experience and good decision making, the longer he goes the better for us (CSK)."

Switching Formats

The Delhi Bulls head coach has come up with a strategy to pick players in the draft and agrees on the policy of horses for courses.

"Only half the overs of T20 and suddenly T20 looks slower. We need to pick different types of players for this format. I really enjoy the format and I want the players to express themselves," he said.

Elaborating further on the challenges that T10 throws up, Fleming said: "Bottom line is every strategy needs to be implemented properly. You need to get your eye in from the very first ball and there will be a lot of challenge to adapt to the format. We need to play a positive brand of cricket and as said need to implement our strategies as the time is very short."

The writer is in Abu Dhabi at the invitation of Abu Dhabi T10 League